"Zelda: Breath of Wild Switch 2 Edition Excludes DLC"

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States where prices seem to be constantly changing, a new detail has emerged that might catch some by surprise. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to spend an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new console if you haven't already purchased it.

To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, there's been a lot of confusion about how everything will work. If you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play it on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC if you've already bought it, without any issues.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which offers improved visuals and performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own Breath of the Wild on the original Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering purchasing it for the Nintendo Switch 2, you can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild for $70, which is $10 more than the original retail price. This price essentially covers the cost of the game and the upgrade pack. However, keep in mind that this edition does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, so if you want that, you'll need to pay an additional $20, bringing the total cost to $90 for the complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2.

According to a statement from Nintendo to IGN, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass DLC. That DLC is available as a separate purchase."

While some might argue that this pricing is fair, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems to ease the financial burden on new players. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game released in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when compared to other titles like Mario Kart World, which is priced at $80, and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, which may cost $450 or more depending on tariffs.

While it's possible that most potential players already own at least the base version of Breath of the Wild given its sales success, if you were holding off to buy it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) for the new, enhanced system, remember to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.